Liverpool risk another PR blunder by announcing hike in season ticket prices

Liverpool's embattled American owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett have risked further damage to their relationship with fans by announcing a seven per cent rise in season ticket prices.

Fan fury: Liverpool fans, already angry with club co-owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett, face price hikes next season Photo: GETTY IMAGES

A seat in the Kop will cost fans £680 if they apply online and £732 in the main stand and the Merseyside club insist that remains ''extraordinarily competitive'' compared to most of the top Premier League clubs.

Liverpool insisted the increase is solely due to inflation and the change in the VAT rate. The club said last year's prices were based on a 15 per cent VAT rate which has now risen to 17.5 per cent, while the retail price index is now running at 5.3 per cent.

A Liverpool spokesman said: ''Inflation and the VAT change are the reasons for the rise - in real terms there's no difference.

''Our season ticket prices remain extraordinarily competitive particularly compared with other clubs in the top half of the table.''

Even so, the increase is unlikely to go down well with fans opposed to Hicks and Gillett.

Fans group Spirit of Shankly have said supporters will consider giving up season tickets to the games next season if Hicks and Gillett have failed to sell the club.

By comparison, Manchester United season ticket holders are currently paying up to £931 for a season.

author : telegraph